REVIEW: Standing-room-only for Las Cafeteras’ Esperanza debut

SAN ANTONIO – The buzz around this folkloric East Los Angeles band was palpable moments before its Esperanza Peace & Justice Center debut on Wednesday evening.

Las Cafeteras, an East Los Angeles band, played at Esperanza Peace & Justice Center on Wednesday.

Executive director Graciela Sanchez acknowledged that the last-minute booking was a coup for the community arts center whose activism dovetails with that of the youthful band that prays together and practices yoga.

“Are you all excited?” she asked the jam-packed room. Cheers greeted her question. (“They have something to say,” she continued. “And continue to build traditions.”)

Before the show, musician David Flores talked about the importance of returning to S.A. He loved the packed house of about 300.

“Those are the signs that there’s love in the community (for us),” said Flores, 30. He’s younger brother to band mate Hector Flores, 31. He’s also in a relationship with band singer Leah Gallegos.

Las Cafeteras have played in town twice before — at the now-defunct Boneshakers when it first opened its second location near the Hays Street Bridge and last summer at Club Rio.

In the audience was singer-songwriter and accordionist Nicolas Valdez of Los Nahuatlatos. He’s a friend of the band. “I so appreciate their cohesiveness and the shared vision,” Valdez said. “I love their commitment to radicalism.”

But don’t diminish the music, which is an incredible hybrid of Veracruz’s Son Jarocho and hip-hop, rap and pop — all of it mixed with fun theatrics.

The essentially unplugged band – six of its seven members were in town — hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. to rousing applause. They’re promoting the album, “It’s Time.”

Later, his political message was clear: “San Antonio, East L.A., we are one.”

Their music has roots dating back 400 years.

“El Zapateado” was built almost solely on the stomped rhythm and the gently strummed jarana and requinto. Gallegos sang-shouted while playing the jawbone of a donkey. She later shined on the ballad “Luna Lovers,” sung in English and delivered with and appealing precocious, self-absorbed confidence. Talented Annette Torres kept the beat with her feet.

There are elements of punk poet Patti Smith, Natalie Merchant and even British singer-songwriter Kate Bush in her style.

“El Señor Presidente” was introduced as an appeal to world leaders “to ask the people” for guidance. “Ya Me Voy” was a call-and-response political anthem. A couple of female fans couldn’t help but dance to the feel-good vibe (soon, all would join in).

“Trabajador, Trabajadora” – dedicated to their collective grandparents – is really aimed at the one-percent, said Hector Flores: “It’s time to go.”

Las Cafeteras closed with the rewritten classic “La Bamba”-turned-“La Bamba Rebelde” updated with messages and phrases for the modern Chicano. The show-stopping number had everyone on their feet.

Now, if they can get them to the voting booth. Such are the goals of a band as important as Las Cafeteras. Si se puede, indeed.